MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) – The Lamar Raiders are entering year four under Head Coach Jacob Land, and expectations are high.
Last season, the Raiders finished with a record of 7-5, and they advanced to the Second Round of the MAIS Playoffs.
This will be Coach Land’s first group of seniors who have been with him for all four years of high school.
Expectations for that group, and this year’s team, are high.
“I think over the last couple of years, especially that senior class from last year, really just set that expectation of it doesn’t matter who we play each week, our expectation is to win,” Coach Land said.
“This group, this summer, has met all of our expectations. They understand our standard. They’ve practiced hard, and they’ve competed well, so my expectation is that this year… that every week is going to be the same. It’s going to be the expectation to win. We’re going to prepare to win each week, no matter who we’re playing, and then when we step out there on Friday Nights, we expect to win,” Coach Land added.
Coach Land is impressed with that group of seniors, and he says that they’ve stepped up and taken leadership roles within the team.
“I want to lead by [my] voice and [my] actions. I feel like if I work hard in the weight room, and on that field, and make plays on the field… I feel like that will inspire the other ones, the other teammates, the younger guys to do it. I just try to lead by example, and I try to be that top leader,” Senior Linebacker and Running Back, Tyler Brown said.
“You have to lead by example, and I’m a big part of that. You have to lead by example, and it’s just… It’s special that I get to. It means a lot that I get to go out and lead these guys, and hopefully, we’ll have a good season, Senior Offensive and Defensive Lineman, Nate Lee said.
The Raiders kick things off on August 21, when they travel to South Choctaw Academy, in Toxey, AL, to take on the Rebels.
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